Aberdeenshire & Royal Deeside

Be enchanted by the Scottish charms of Aberdeenshire on this delightful five-day tour where we enjoy visits to the picturesque Royal Deeside, full of wild scenery, and the quaint town of Stonehaven. With free time in the seaport of Aberdeen and a chance to visit the rugged landscapes along the Banffshire coast, this is an unforgettable way to experience the magic of Scotland.What's Included
Includes- Return coach travel- 4 nights at the Britannia Hotel, Aberdeen (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to Royal Deeside (Braemar, Crathie & Ballater) & Stonehaven- Free time in AberdeenOptional excursion to the Banffshire Coast (£14pp)

Itinerary
Included ExcursionsRoyal Deeside (full day)Royal Deeside is an area that captivated Queen Victoria due to its stunning landscape of moody mountains and shimmering rivers. We enjoy these breathtaking panoramas during our excursion and visit some of the region's most picturesque villages.Our first stop is in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park for a visit to delightful Braemar. This lovely village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens and pine forests, while the centre features an array of boutique shops, medieval ruins and castles.We continue on to Crathie, which sits on the banks of the River Dee and is set against the mountainous backdrop of Lochnagar. The village is famous for its granite kirk which was built in 1895 and is the Royals' local church when staying at Balmoral.Our final stop is the village of Ballater, which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, known for its spring water and is the nearest community to Balmoral Castle. Take a stroll to admire the historic buildings, browse the Ballater Gallery or visit the Royal Station to discover the restored royal waiting room, which re-opened in August 2018 after a devastating fire.Stonehaven & Aberdeen (full day)We travel to the harbour town of Stonehaven, nestled in the stunning countryside on the North East coast of Scotland. Discover the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum, rich in history from its time as a former courthouse and jail, enjoy the fresh sea air with a walk along the sheltered harbour or simply sit back and relax in one of the lovely cafs or restaurants.We then return to Aberdeen for some free time at leisure. Known as the Granite City, Aberdeen has been described as "one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe" thanks to its sparkling granite buildings and monuments. There's plenty to discover, from Old Aberdeen, with its cobbled streets and 15th-century cathedral, to the quirky fishing quarter of Footdee, at the water's edge.Optional ExcursionThe Banffshire Coast (£14pp) (half day)On our optional excursion, we take in the sandy bays, rugged cliffs, quaint seaside towns and historic fishing villages that make up Scotland's Banffshire Coast. Located on the stunning Banff Bay, the county town of Banff is a delight to explore and has attracted visitors for centuries. The old harbour, which has been developed as a marina is well worth a visit, or head to Banff Museum to admire some of the oldest surviving silver teapots in Scotland or browse some local works on display.We continue onto Fraserburgh, a major fishing port and a busy commercial harbour that holds the mainland British wind speed record! There's a wide range of shops and local produce on offer here as well as an award-winning beach plus a museum which showcases the rich heritage of this Scottish fishing town.

Aberdeen
Known as the Granite City, the thriving sea port of Aberdeen has been described as "one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe" thanks to its sparkling Granite buildings and monuments. There's plenty to discover, from Old Aberdeen, with its cobbled streets and 15th-century cathedral, to the quirky fishing quarter of Footdee at the water's edge. Look out for dolphins leaping at the harbour mouth and listen for the warming tones of'Doric',the localScots dialect , or why not indulge in some retail therapy in the many shops dotted along the mile-long Union Street.\n

Royal Deeside
Royal Deeside is an area that captivated Queen Victoria due to its stunning landscape of moody mountains and shimmering rivers. We enjoy these breathtaking panoramas during our excursion and visit some of the region's most picturesque villages.
Situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, and close to Balmoral Castle, lies the delightful Scottish village of Braemar. This lovely village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens with an array of ancient pine forests inhabited by an abundance of wildlife, boutique shops, fine places to eat and much more. Discover the medieval ruins of Kindrochit Castle or the fascinating Braemar Castle, both located in the village centre. However you choose to spend your time, you are assured a true Scottish welcome here.
Crathie sits on the banks of the River Dee and is set against the backdrop of the glorious mountain peaks of Lochnagar. The village is famous for its granite kirk, built in 1895 with the proceeds of a bazaar held at Balmoral, and the Royals' local church when staying at Balmoral.
The picturesque village of Ballater sits in the heart of Royal Deeside. Surrounded by countryside, the village is known for its spring water and is the nearest community to Balmoral Castle, which explains the many 'By Royal Appointment' signs that can be seen on local independent shops. Take a stroll to admire the historic buildings, browse the Ballater Gallery, which showcases Scottish artists with international reputations, or visit the Royal Station to discover the painstakingly-restored royal waiting room, which re-opened in August 2018 after a devastating fire in 2015.Hotel
Britannia Hotel, AberdeenJG2 ratingThe Britannia Hotel, Aberdeen is well located in the 'granite city' for our special break away. The hotel includes en-suite rooms with TV, telephone and tea/coffee-making facilities as well as a bar, lounge, restaurant and free Wi-Fi. All meals are buffet style.Hotel RatingJG2 ratingHotels with a JG2 rating are a mixture of larger hotels and privately owned properties. Décor and furnishings may be simple but are clean and well maintained. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV and may have tea/coffee making facilities. Food may be buffet style in some of the larger hotels. Services may be limited but efficient.